OUR HISTORY
Willis Page was the conductor and musical director of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra from 1971 to 1983. After 30 years of making music, the Orchestra had officially ceased to be in 1970. Page was largely responsible for its revival, taking the newly reformed orchestra on tour to some of America’s major concert halls and commissioning a series of new pieces by major composers. In 1985 he founded the St Johns River City Band.
In 1989, Willis Page established the First Coast Pops Orchestra, which brought the Boston Pops approach to Florida via weekend concerts held at the Jacksonville Beach Flag Pavilion.
Today, the orchestra is under the direction of Ralph Coleman. Ralph, a Jacksonville native, received his Music Education degree from Jacksonville University. He directed bands in three Northeast Florida Counties and received the honor of Teacher of the Year twice in his career.
Ralph is the founding director of the Clay County Honor Band and the Northeast Florida Honor Band and has served as a clinician and adjudicator. Also, he led 120+ students as String Education director at Pine Forest Elementary School of the Arts.
Ralph was a member of the JACKSONVILLE SYMPHONY for 11 years and continues to play in various community bands, orchestras and ensembles. He was on staff for 20 years with the Florida Baptist Convention All-State Choir and Orchestra and continues to serve leading roles in church music ministries.
For many years, the incredible members of the FCPO have been traveling the greater Jacksonville area to provide an amazing live musical performance to various community centers and churches, a noteworthy mission that continues to this day.
In 1989, Willis Page established the First Coast Pops Orchestra, which brought the Boston Pops approach to Florida via weekend concerts held at the Jacksonville Beach Flag Pavilion.
Today, the orchestra is under the direction of Ralph Coleman. Ralph, a Jacksonville native, received his Music Education degree from Jacksonville University. He directed bands in three Northeast Florida Counties and received the honor of Teacher of the Year twice in his career.
Ralph is the founding director of the Clay County Honor Band and the Northeast Florida Honor Band and has served as a clinician and adjudicator. Also, he led 120+ students as String Education director at Pine Forest Elementary School of the Arts.
Ralph was a member of the JACKSONVILLE SYMPHONY for 11 years and continues to play in various community bands, orchestras and ensembles. He was on staff for 20 years with the Florida Baptist Convention All-State Choir and Orchestra and continues to serve leading roles in church music ministries.
For many years, the incredible members of the FCPO have been traveling the greater Jacksonville area to provide an amazing live musical performance to various community centers and churches, a noteworthy mission that continues to this day.